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Social Media

Social media is a powerful outreach tool for the Office of Head Start (OHS). OHS currently has three active social media accounts — X, Instagram, and Facebook. National Centers may provide content that can be shared across these official OHS channels.

OHS social media engagement objectives include:

  • Helping members of the Head Start and early childhood communities find, understand, and share Head Start training and technical assistance resources and other information
  • Increasing the American public's awareness and understanding of the Head Start program
  • Engaging with and listening to the public
  • Encouraging participation, conversation, and community
  • Modeling the use of social media tools for Head Start grantees and other programs
  • Collaborating with and sharing relevant information from other federal agencies

Use this guide to develop effective posts and ensure a smooth approval process. All posts are reviewed, edited, and approved by the Head Start Information and Communications Center, OHS, and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), with an eye on ACF/Department of Health and Human Services perspectives and priorities. We need your concepts and copy well in advance. Reviewers may edit or decline a suggested post that doesn't align with priorities or perspectives, or if it’s unlikely to engage users (e.g., few likes, shares, or comments).

The growth of our community reflects the richness of your content. Follow these general guidelines for effective posts:

  • Social media messages should spur action. Write content a user will want to share, "like," or comment on. Create calls to action like visiting resources on the ECLKC or registering for a webinar.
  • Use plain language principles. Use words that are easy to understand, be concise and direct, and limit acronyms.
  • Add images or video to enhance your post. Images can be text-based infographics, related photos, or both, all mobile- and platform-optimized. Videos should be immediately engaging because viewers typically watch for less than five seconds. Learn more about image requirements.
  • Promote events in platform-specific ways. X users are fine with direct event promotion. Facebook users prefer a piece of information from the webinar repackaged into an appealing post with a call-to-action to register for the event at the end.
  • Follow us! It’s the best way to learn which posts generate interest.

Read more about social media by selecting links below:

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